A stylish extension means there’s more room – and more beautiful things for your home – at Niche Living in Barnard Castle

As anyone who watches home makeover shows on television knows, it’s a favourite trick of designers to take out walls to enhance an interior space. And that’s just what interior designer Alyson Savage has done – not to her home, or to anyone else’s, but to enhance the offering at her enticing homeware and interior design shop, Niche Living, in Barnard Castle.

The store has been a feature in the town’s Galgate for five years now and such is its popularity that Aly and her business partner, daughter Victoria Jeavons, decided to expand. “We knew we needed more space,” says Aly. “We had looked elsewhere, but people know we are in Galgate – they visit from all over the North-East as they pass through the town – so we didn’t want to up sticks.”

Fortuitously, the shop next door came up for let and it seemed a natural progression to move sideways; historically, it had always been one premises and only a sheet of plasterboard separated the two sides, which made the practical task of knocking through much easier. “It’s all just Niche, but with a bigger and better Interiors offering,” says Aly. “Our hope is that the new extension will be a relaxing, calmer environment within, but slightly apart, from our busy retail shop. We want to give our customers space to browse through all the lovely fabrics and wallpapers we offer.”

The new extension is light and airy with a large viewing table at its centre. “It’s made from a fabulous product called Dekton, a dramatic granite-like material with large rust-coloured swirls,” says Victoria. “We have teamed it up with a modern take on a chandelier for added drama.”?

Both the home store’s paint offering have been used, with Farrow & Ball Railings and Strong White sitting against the Zoffany Harbour Grey walls. Topped off with some striking Manuela Canovas wallpaper, it looks stylish, but comfortable, a nice place to hang out.

“It has been very hard juggling the build and continuing to trade, but as in life, you forget the pain when the baby is delivered,” says Aly. “We will not have long to relish in the loveliness of it all, though, as the Christmas sparkly stuff is starting to arrive. It all needs pricing and there is no quick way to price thousands of baubles!

“It seems so long since we shopped for Christmas as we do the bulk in January, but I do remember how very pleased with everything we were. We have the fabulous stags and pheasants again, which sold out too quickly last year, and some amazing candlesticks. We all love a candle at Christmas time.”

Five years on, Niche is still a passion for Aly and Victoria and their growing team. “It’s lots of hard work, but we love it,” she says. The plan was always to offer both a retail and Interiors business, under one roof, both complementing each other. Initially the retail element of the shop was by far the strongest element, but the interiors side of the business has grown hugely in the last year, due in large part to some of the high-profile projects the business has undertaken.

“The Greenbank Barns luxury holiday cottages project, which we worked on in 2015, was fabulous exposure,” says Aly. “The results were fantastic and the lets have seen practically 100 per cent occupancy since they were finished; lots of people who stay seek us out to emulate the look. It was a complete offering – carpets, décor, furniture and dressing, which has become the norm on our larger projects.”

But as well as splashing out, Alyson says that, thanks to her expertise, she can save customers money on revamps. “I visit lots of homes. I see how colour works in a room,” she says. “I like to think I’m a useful tool in helping you seek out the colour and style that suits your project, without wasting money and time on piles of samples.”

The introduction of an upholsterer to the Niche team means old furniture can be revamped and new headboards and footstools made up using some of the lovely fabrics on offer, and the extra space means larger pieces can now be given some space. “We have been working in partnership with Authentic Furniture for the past year,” says Aly. “They make beautiful leather sofas which are built to last and are the last word in comfort. Don’t buy until you have tried sitting on one of the luxurious sofas here.”

Another growth area is lighting, and Niche now has a larger offering of lamps, and is planning a striking ceiling display of modern and traditional lights. “Nothing beats seeing a special chandelier all lit up,” says Aly. “Great lighting really does finish off a room.”

Niche Living, 42 Galgate, Barnard Castle, DL12 8BH. T: 01833-638911; W: niche-living.co.uk